The Universal Serial Number - streamlined

It has been bugging me for years so time to get my thoughts down on paper.

In our country every government department issues many different serial numbers such as:

1. IRD

2. WINZ

3  Health

4. Education 

5. Passport

et al.

Such is the minefield that is Government Bureaucracy that the poor client never really knows what goes where.

My plan is simple.  Centralise all departments under one serial number.

How it works.

1.  When a child is born they are given their National Service Number which is recognised in all facets of bureaucracy. All child health care free (to age 15) and MoH activates a file number accordingly.

2. At aged 5 they are issued a New Zealand Passport for life, only  needs to be renewed on application if the original is full or lost/stolen.
3. NCEA Levels 1 and 2 files use their endemic number.
4.  Aged 15  IRD opens an Account with the same number.
5. Doctors activate the same case file number. All health care has the same number.
6.  Aged 16 WINZ Activate a case file number if needed.

I foresee that bureaucracy will be streamlined.  It would be better for all if they didn't have to wade through Central Government crap. It would also make it easier for Government Departments to cross audit (would you believe IRD has two departments that deal  with clients, IRD itself and Child Support.  15 years ago they didn't talk to each other - not  to mention IRD/WINZ)

Yes I hear the naysayers and Nanny State, but it will work.

Personal Identification Card

Currently the Government has several numbers for Identification within their departments of individual clients.  The Bureaucracy involved is outstanding and downright confusing.

So let's streamline the process.

A Personal Identification card will have one number that goes across all government departments, IRD, WINZ, ACC, CYFS, GSF, Tertiary and Pensioner Services..

1.  When you are born and your parents submit the Birth Certificate with Internal Affairs, the Government issues the Baby with a serial numbered identification card.  From Birth to age 15 the card allows parents free medical and dental care for their children.

2.  Age 15 to 18 Teenagers have access to IRD amongst others. They are also able to directly apply for Student services or benefits with the same number. It also allows these folks to access medical and dental services with 50% discount. If children have jobs from 10 - 15 years old they earn Tax Free.

3.  The same card identifies prospective voter status.

4. The Personal Identity Card also replaces the over 65 Gold Card.

Nanny State??  Not if it actually improves on the current botch up.

Streamlining Government Bureaucracy

  Were you aware that from the time the Doctor or Midwife smacked your butt you were a statistic.  IRD have that taken care of, sure you don't get it right away but it's put aside for those under the age of 16 and working.

Click here for IRD instructions.


We all know that from his event onward you are a government statistic (IRD/WINZ/CYPF et al)  IRD is covered but the others aren't as such, especially three other statistics - Voter Registration, Super and ACC.  Surely to stop bureaucracy ruling the day and making folks scratch their head in frustration make your IRD the only Serial Number for all.  When you apply for your IRD number, IRD should issue you a Card that encompasses all Government business with the General Public, essentially from the Cradle to the Grave.

Solving Poverty in New Zealand

Now I need to get something off my chest, there is no Third World poverty in New Zealand. Any "Third World" Poverty is down to the acts of parents and families in choosing a by and large drug and alcohol filled life.  Poverty plainly is a misnomer based on the likes of WINZ and CYFS activity to prevent said poverty.  The ones that suffer mostly are children in families that make poor choices.

However there is mid level poverty and there are several ways to take it by the horn and turn the current situation around through positive initiatives.  Here are a few:

1      Any family on the bottom line of income, i.e WINZ Benefit, should have a GST Free Card for food shopping, car expenses including fuel, and bills.

2.  Proposed Water Exports should be U Turned and flood food outlets with fresh spring water(for free with GST Free Card) Sugar Tax should give Water Sales a boost.

3.  Meat and Dairy prices need to be dropped across the board.  Government watchdogs should be monitoring overseas markets and ensure the Meat and Dairy industry prices on the local market are cheaper than Kiwi products elsewhere.

4.  Cheap Clothing and Bedding for at risk families.  There is a huge Rough Spun Wool glut in this country (big downturn in carpet market.) and how hard would it be to refine that wool into a fiber for the production of blankets, Sleeping Bags and warm clothing.  With the lack of buyers for carpet wool, a revived industry of wool products would be cheap to set up and kick-start the textile industry.  With cheap wool price for this endeavour, the farmers win, the clothing and manufacturing wins and poor Kiwi's win.  And any extra items can be stockpiled and used to assist countries suffering from natural disasters.

I know this might be a little Out There!! But change doesn't start without a dream.